News and communications

The expansion takes effect later this month, with increased annual quota, increased age range and the removal of the ballot process.

• Updated: 23 January 2024

Increases to immigration and nationality fees to pay for vital services are set come into effect on 4 October.

• Updated: 15 September 2023

The UK Government announced on 19 July 2023 that, with immediate effect, all Namibian nationals will need a visa before travelling to the UK, including to visit.

• Updated: 21 July 2023

The UK Government has announced today (Wednesday 19 July) that, with immediate effect, all Hondurans will need a visa before travelling to the UK, including to visit.

• Updated: 19 July 2023

From 1 to 3 August 2023, you can submit your UK visa application at the British Embassy in Conakry, Guinea.

• Updated: 12 July 2023

The second ballot for this year’s Youth Mobility Scheme will open in July.

• Updated: 6 July 2023

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is moving fee payments for visa applications to online platforms as the facility to make cash payments discontinues.

• Updated: 10 May 2023

UKVI is moving all visa fee payments for visa applications to online platforms as the capability to pay for a visa in the visa application centre discontinues.

• Updated: 3 April 2023

Care workers, care assistants and home care workers to become eligible for Health and Care Visa for 12 month period

• Updated: 24 December 2021

Doctors, nurses and paramedics with visas due to expire before 1 October 2020 will have them automatically extended for one year.

• Updated: 31 March 2020

Leave extended to 31 May for individuals who are currently unable to return home at the end of their visa.

• Updated: 24 March 2020

Access UK allows its customers to enjoy as smooth a visa application process as possible.

• Updated: 18 March 2019

The new online visa application service, Access UK, has been designed based on customer feedback and replaces the Visa4UK website.

• Updated: 26 February 2019

More highly skilled doctors and nurses will be able to come to the UK under plans announced by the Home Office today.

• Updated: 15 June 2018

Confirmation of new application and service fees announced by UK Visas and Immigration.

• Updated: 26 February 2016

The Immigration Health Surcharge is to be extended to Australians and New Zealanders who spend more than six months in the UK.

• Updated: 4 February 2016

New visa, immigration and nationality application and service fees announced.

• Updated: 11 January 2016

UK Visas and Immigration is converting a number of visa application centres to user pays centres.

• Updated: 25 August 2015

New visa, immigration and nationality application and service fees come into effect from 6 April 2014.

• Updated: 6 April 2014

First published during the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government